Sprawl v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sprawled p. pr. & vb. n. Sprawling.]
1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.
2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or trees; to spread ungracefully, as chirography.
3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping.
The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled. --L'Estrange.
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sprawling
adj 1: spread out irregularly; "sat sprawled in the big armchair";
"the sprawling suburbs"; "a big sprawly city" [syn: sprawled,
sprawly]
2: spreading out carelessly (as if wandering) in different
directions; "sprawling handwriting"; "straggling
branches"; "straggly hair" [syn: straggling, straggly]
n : an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about [syn: sprawl]